This year’s sorority recruitment saw more rushing and receiving bids than ever before. Of the 376 women who participated, 345 in recruitment received bids. The total number of women participating has expanded by about 20 to 40 people for each of the past five years.

A Panhellenic extension committee chose Kappa Delta Sorority to become the eighth and latest sorority to join the campus community. The Panhellenic Council has been searching for a new sorority all year to reduce pledge class sizes, make the sorority experience more intimate, and ensure that more prospective new members can be accepted into a sorority.

Some fraternities and sororities hold a rush period during the fall. While 240 men and 250 women rushed last year during the formal recruitment period, about 75 chose fall rush this year. For sororities, the fall process is sharply different from the elaborately planned spring recruitment, which is run through the National Panhellenic Council. “Informal is kind of the exact opposite,” said Lucy Morlan, coordinator for chapter development. “They don’t necessarily have to hold events.”

Washington University’s newest sorority is preparing for its first large philanthropy event to benefit the sorority’s national cause, the Arthritis Foundation.